Photo credit: www.mindful.org
This installment highlights remarkable women who are at the forefront of the mindfulness movement, demonstrating what is achievable when we acknowledge both ourselves and one another. Each story encapsulates a journey marked by resilience and insight—a commitment to remaining open-hearted and conscious, even amidst adversity. These women have cultivated distinct practices that nurture their personal growth and purpose, offering inspiration for all to follow suit in their individual paths.
Embrace What’s Broken
Brenda K. Mitchell
Pastor, Activist, Teacher
Throughout her life, Brenda K. Mitchell has served as a steadfast pillar in her community, known for her determination and activism. As a devoted pastor, she has consistently prioritized the well-being of others.
However, following the tragic loss of her son Kenneth to gun violence in 2005, Brenda faced an emotional upheaval that challenged her strength. Caring for his two young sons and managing her grief proved overwhelming.
Initially unaware of the full extent of trauma’s impact, Brenda faced a critical juncture when a doctor advised her to pause and confront her own pain. “Despite my lifelong resilience,” she reflects, “I realized I had to lean into my vulnerabilities to begin the healing process.”
During a retreat designed for survivors of gun violence, she discovered the transformative benefits of taking a momentary pause and embracing the present. This mindfulness journey allowed her to prioritize her healing and recognize the aspects of herself that had been neglected.
Today, as a leader and facilitator, she integrates mindfulness into her work, particularly within communities of color and the faith community, emphasizing the multifaceted approach necessary for overcoming trauma. “It’s crucial to leverage every available resource for healing; trauma is an undeniable reality,” she asserts.
Center Love and Liberation
Shelly Harrell
Psychologist, Mindfulness Teacher, Founder of the Soulfulness Center
Growing up in the vibrant music scene of Detroit during the 1960s, Shelly Harrell found early lessons in compassion through the soulful melodies of her childhood. Influenced by the values of love and connection in the lyrics of her favorite artists, she found personal refuge through music and dance.
After the loss of her father as a teenager, she turned to dance as a form of meditation, a practice that helped her reconnect with her inner self.
In her professional journey, Harrell has worked to bridge the disconnect between the predominately white mindfulness community and Black Americans, addressing the cultural narratives that often exclude collective experiences. Recognizing a need for a framework emphasizing connection, she founded The Soulfulness Center, which is dedicated to fostering community resilience and healing.
Harrell emphasizes the importance of returning to breath and acknowledging the interconnectedness of past and present, not just for individual well-being, but for cultural and communal healing.
Meet It With Love
Caverly Morgan
Founder of Peace in Schools, Teacher, Author
Initially, Caverly Morgan was oblivious to the negative self-talk that plagued her, dismissing it as mere fact. Her discovery of mindfulness prompted her to reconsider her relationship with this internal voice.
As she began her practice, Morgan realized that many approach self-compassion with a mindset geared toward improvement, inadvertently trapping themselves in a cycle of judgment. Instead of battling negativity, she advocates for gentle acknowledgment of the inner critic.
She encourages individuals to greet this inner dialogue with unconditional love, affirming, “Whether you succeed or don’t, I love you no matter what.” This paradigm shift reframes mindfulness not as a tool for self-improvement, but as a supportive vessel through which one can explore their innate compassion.
Celebrate Who You Are
Sue Hutton
Social Worker, Mindfulness Teacher, Disability Rights Advocate
Sue Hutton has dedicated decades to supporting neurodevelopmentally disabled individuals, weaving her mindfulness practice into her advocacy for disability rights. Her experiences have shaped her commitment to celebrating diversity and individuality.
Inspired by her mother’s struggles, Hutton developed a drive to alleviate suffering and ensure that no one feels like an outsider. Working alongside autistic advisors, she strives to create mindful practices that resonate with neurodivergent communities.
While advocating for systemic change, Hutton highlights the importance of self-compassion, particularly for those who may not fit the conventional mold of meditation practice. She passionately believes that mindfulness is profoundly personal and unique to each individual.
Find Your Strength
Melli O’Brien
Mindfulness Educator, Entrepreneur, Mental Health Coach
As a young adult grappling with depression and an eating disorder, Melli O’Brien sought solace in books on mental health. Faced with overwhelming despair fueled by contentions in the world around her, she recognized a choice: to succumb or to cultivate resilience.
Through mindfulness, she discovered the transformative power of recognizing one’s own inner strength. This realization became a catalyst for launching her own initiatives to improve mental health awareness, including significant fundraising for mental health charities.
Yet, O’Brien experienced burnout, sparking a critical reflection on her purpose and aspirations. This introspection led to the development of The Deep Resilience Method, a method designed to empower individuals facing adversity.
Come Home to the Body
S. Helen Ma
Clinical Psychologist, Mindfulness Researcher, Teacher Trainer
In 1998, S. Helen Ma sought mindfulness training with Jon Kabat-Zinn to understand how mindfulness could aid in mental health recovery. With prior experience working with patients suffering from clinical depression, she was keen to discover its benefits beyond anecdotal evidence.
During her research journey, Ma learned to detach from narrative-based thinking by redirecting her focus to the present. This mindset shift had a profound impact on her clinical practice and her approach towards patient care.
Now, as a caregiver for her husband with dementia, Ma continues to apply mindfulness in navigating her experiences, emphasizing the significance of living in the moment and honoring emotional realities.
Create New Paths
Nanea Reeves
Founder and CEO of TRIPP
Nanea Reeves began her journey into meditation as a teen, finding solace amidst family turmoil. The techniques she learned became lifelines during crises, ultimately propelling her to create TRIPP, a platform utilizing technology to facilitate mindful practices.
Following personal tragedy, Reeves committed herself to spreading awareness about the healing potential of meditation. TRIPP’s innovative approaches aim to bridge virtual experiences with tangible mindfulness benefits in the real world.
Hold It Lightly
Vidyamala Burch
Mindfulness Teacher, Writer, Founder of Breathworks
Vidyamala Burch has spent decades managing chronic pain, where she has fostered a deep understanding of using mindfulness to engage with suffering. Her charity, Breathworks, supports individuals dealing with chronic conditions, guiding them to embrace life despite challenges.
Through her experiences, Burch emphasizes the importance of confronting suffering with openness while maintaining a lightness of being. “You can’t engage with life without being loving, and vice versa,” she states. Aiming for a collective ability to face life’s difficulties with compassion will empower greater resilience.
Keep Your Heart Open
Shalini Bahl
Mindfulness Teacher, Researcher, Consultant, Author
Shalini Bahl’s mindfulness journey began amidst personal upheaval, where she found solace in nature and developed a deep appreciation for emotional awareness. Her training has led her to explore how mindfulness can transform relationships and foster shared humanity.
By integrating mindfulness into her academic and community roles, Bahl strives to create dialogue that bridges gaps and enhances understanding. Her recent work emphasizes the necessity of keeping hearts and minds open to forge deeper connections.
Tell a New Story
Yuria Celidwen
Scholar, Researcher, Teacher, Indigenous Nahua and Maya
Yuria Celidwen’s insights expand mindfulness beyond individual practice, intertwining it with community and environmental consciousness. Grounded in her Indigenous heritage, she emphasizes the importance of relation and kinship within the broader societal context.
Through her advocacy and research, Celidwen occupies a pivotal role in integrating Indigenous wisdom into the mindfulness landscape, seeking transformative narratives that foster connection, understanding, and shared responsibility for our collective future.
Source
www.mindful.org